The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has joined forces with the Philippine National Police (PNP), various rider groups, and other stakeholders to improve safety along Marilaque Road following a tragic motorcycle stunt incident that claimed the life of a motovlogger last month.
On Sunday, February 2, LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, together with Senator JV Ejercito—a known motorcycle enthusiast—led hundreds of riders in a motorcade to promote the “Make Marilaque Road Safe Again” campaign, aimed at raising awareness about road safety for all motorists.
“It is unfortunate that it took one person’s death to awaken us all. But we will use this momentum to advocate for road safety, not just here along Marilaque, but throughout the country,” said Asec. Mendoza.
This initiative aligns with the LTO’s “Stop Road Crash” campaign, launched last year in response to the alarming rise in road accidents nationwide. The campaign also supports the advocacy of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, who champions the safety of all road users.
According to the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), there were approximately 31,000 road accidents reported across the country in 2024, resulting in 2,747 fatalities. The report revealed that 47,206 vehicles were involved in these incidents, including over 15,000 motorcycles and more than 17,000 four-wheeled vehicles.
“I personally reviewed the road accident statistics from the HPG, and the numbers are heartbreaking. Many vehicles are involved, especially motorcycles, and sadly, lives have been lost,” Asec. Mendoza stated.
“One death due to a road accident is one too many. That’s why we are aggressively pushing for road safety. Our goal this year is to reduce the number of road accidents by at least half compared to 2024,” he added.
Asec. Mendoza also highlighted the strong support from private corporations and motorcycle-riding communities, emphasizing that road safety is a shared responsibility.
“The private sector, corporate groups, and motorcycle communities are all actively supporting this advocacy. We’ll capitalize on this momentum to achieve our goal of making all roads safer. Most accidents are preventable, and that’s the mindset we want to instill in our motorists,” Mendoza said.
He stressed that enforcement alone is not enough to ensure road safety. Education and training are equally critical. The LTO plans to collaborate with private sector partners to expand training programs and reach more motorists nationwide.
Furthermore, Asec. Mendoza announced that the LTO will implement stricter processes for driver’s license approval to ensure that only well-trained and responsible drivers are on the road.
“Education and training will be complemented by strict enforcement, including increased visibility of traffic enforcers and law enforcement agencies like the PNP. The mere presence of uniformed officers can serve as a reminder for motorists to practice proper road courtesy and discipline,” Mendoza concluded.